Present & Future Real Conditionals

Stating facts and predictions

A bee with pollen – A person spraying pesticide

Present and Future Conditional Statements

PRESENT

In a present conditional sentence, the if–clausestates a particular activity or situation (a condition). The result-clause states a fact or observation as the result of the situation in the if–clause. The present tense is used in both clauses.

PRESENT CONDITION

FACTUAL EFFECT

If people use pesticides in their gardens,

they harm bees.

cause-effect fact

If a bee collects pollen from a flower,

the bee also collects pesticide with the pollen.

If a large number of bees die,

the colony collapses.

FUTURE

In a future conditional sentence, the result-clause states a prediction as the result of the situation in the if- clause. The simple present tense is used in the if–clause, and a modal (will, can, may, might, shall) is used in the result-clause.

FUTURE CONDITION

PREDICTED EFFECT

If there are no bees,

flowers will not be pollinated.

prediction

If we can find out why bees are dying,

we can save the bees.

If we don't find a solution,

bees may disappear.

colony – a group of bees and the queen

collapse – fail, die off

harm – hurt

pesticide (N) – a chemical substance used to kill insects and small animals that destroy crops

If you need something, just ask. (future chance of need)If you are going to need something, give us 24 hours to get it. (future intent - requirement)
*If you will need something, . . . (Need cannot be used in a request.)

I'll come pick you up if you are done early. (future chance of being done)

If he wills success, he can find it. (Will can be used as a lexical verb meaning "to purpose, determine on, or elect, by an act of will".)

*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.

Grammar Notes

Traditional and Linguistic Description

Advanced

Traditional Grammar and Linguistic Description

TRADITIONAL GRAMMAR

LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION

In traditional grammar, a a conditional clause is an adverbial clause (related to the verb).

A real conditional relates a cause-effect relationship of a true situation.
An unreal conditional relates a cause-effect relationship of an untrue situation, hypothetical condition, or an imaginary present, past or future.

An if clause refers to a condition — something which must happen so that something else can happen. (Swan 257)if is a conjunction "We use special structures with if when we are talking about unreal situations — things that will probably not happen, situations that are untrue or imaginary… We use past tenses and would to 'distance' our language from reality." (Swan 258)

Practice 1

Tense Agreement

Read Context

A World Without Bees

When Professor Gordon Frankie wants to impress school children with the importance of bees, he lays out an array of foods such as berries, grapes, pears, and chocolate alongside a couple of dried-out tortillas and rice cakes and asks them which foods they prefer. "The kids go for the fruits and chocolate," he said.

"Then I tell them: In a world without bees, the only choice they'd have would be the dried-out tortillas or rice cakes, since wheat and rice are self-pollinated. Even chocolate, from the cacao plant, depends on the pollination of bees. That gets their attention." The exact cause of Colony Collapse Disorder is not known.

Complete the verb form.

Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.

Compare your responses to the feedback by clicking the "Check" or "Check 1-10" button.

1.

If scientists can find the problem, they
the bees.

Feedback 1

2.

Farmers should not use pesticide if it
bees.

pesticide (N) – a poison that kills a particular or several kinds of insects

Feedback 2

3.

If mobile phones are causing the problem, people
a choice between bees or their phones.

Feedback 3

4.

If bees don't pollinate flowers, fruit trees
much fruit.

Feedback 4

5.

Which connector means about the same?

If beekeepers see a problem, they report it. beekeepers see a problem, they report it.

Feedback 5

6.

What tense is this conditional statement?

If you see a swarm of bees outside your home, call the city.

swarm - group of flying bees

Feedback 6

7.

What is the meaning of this sentence?

Ifa queen bee dies, a new one takes over.

Feedback 7

8.

If bee colonies
healthy, our food supply will be safe.

Feedback 8

9.

How should the sentence be punctuated?

If a solution is found
our food supply will be safe.

Feedback 9

10.

How should the sentence be punctuated?

Our food supply will be safe
if a solution is found.

Feedback 10

Practice 2

Bee Society

Complete the sentence with "if" expressions.

Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.

Compare your responses to the feedback by clicking the "Check" or "Check 11-21" button.

11.

Bees rarely
abandon their queen.

abandon (V) – to leave someone, especially someone you are responsible for

Feedback 11

12.

a large swarm of bees, it is likely that something has disturbed the hive.

swarm (N) – a large group of flying beesdisturb (V) – to botherhive (N) – box or location in which bees live

Feedback 12

13.

the bees will calm down and not harm you.

harm (V) – hurt or endanger

Feedback 13

14.

Little
can be done to calm an angry swarm of bees.

Feedback 14

15.

a beehive from a house, car or tree, call a professional beekeeper first.

Feedback 15

16.

followed by a swarm of bees, run fast. Get out of their territory.

territory (N) – the area that an animal (bird, insect, reptile, etc.) regards as its own and will defend against other animals

Feedback 16

17.

from bees, we must take care of them as well.

benefit(V) – to receive advantages and improvements in our life from their work

Feedback 17

18.

What does the if-clause express in this sentence?If you see a bee pollinating a flower, you will notice yellow pollen on its legs.

Feedback 18

19.

What does the if-clause express in this sentence?If you will call Animal Services, they will send out a bee keeper.

Feedback 19

20.

What does the if-clause express in this sentence?If you are going to remove that hive, wear protective clothing.